Doing Business with the WSNC

Western States Network Consortium

Pamela Mondrey

November 18, 2015

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Who Am I?

• WSNC Program Manager

• Coordinate consolidated opportunities for the six networks that comprise the WSNC.

VHA Structure – “VISNs”Veterans Integrated Service Networks

New MyVA Structure

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WSNC Goals

• Develop business opportunities to enhance:

– Quality of Care

– Efficiency of Operations

– Saving of Medical Care Dollars

WSNC Organization

Network Directors

Steering Committee

Ex-Officio Members

IMT Subcommittee

Logistics Subcommittee

Laboratory Subcommittee

Business Subcommittee

Biomedical Subcommittee

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Steering Committee Functions• Provide oversight for subcommittees.

• Identify opportunities for collaboration and assign to existing subcommittees or charter additional workgroups.

• Ratify agreements between networks to ensure compliance.

• Develop and champion best practices across all six networks.

• Monitor cost-benefit actions and provide periodic reports.

• Develop policy recommendations to improve operations and submit to VACO.

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Information Management Subcommittee• Prioritize/recommend larger scope Region 1 IT Field

Development projects with more solutions driven to Data Warehouse applications.

• Perform SWOT analysis and update tactical plan for consideration of Steering Committee.

• Develop approach for consistent deployment of IT-dependent systems/equipment across the Region.

• Report on national IT initiatives.

• Continue to refine definitions and practical adoption of IT/Non-IT funding guidance.

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Logistics Subcommittee• Has developed training programs for Logistics staff at all

levels.

• Has developed Blanket Purchase Agreements and Contracts as a group purchasing organization that have resulted in substantial cost savings prior to the introduction of SAO West.

• Serves as conduit between networks and VACO P&LO to champion project rollouts in an effective manner.

• Develops metric tracking methodology to share across region.

• Partnered with SAO West to develop a regional contracting team to further expand on regional purchasing opportunities.

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Laboratory Subcommittee• Introducing new innovations in Middleware applications

– Autoverification

– Laboratory Dashboards

• Have developed reference laboratory BPAs with bidirectional interconnectivity in nearly all WSNC facilities – has reduced number of potential transcription errors

• Have instituted a Med Tech training program.– 7 students enrolled – 4 at Tucson, 2 at Portland, 1 at Fresno

– Program has received national attention

• Are piloting a Laboratory Results letter using the appointment card technology to address VHA Directive 2009-019– Alpha testing is now occurring in Anchorage, Tucson, Denver and San Francisco

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Business Subcommittee• Identified action items for improvement of contracting

process:– ECMS:

– Development of guide for use of eCMS.

– Development of eCMS training plan.

– Drafted a White Paper to Mr. Matkovsky identifying recommendations in the streamlining of the procurement process.

– Promoted the hiring of Acquisition Liaisons across the region.

– Promoting use of Ordering Officer Delegations, where appropriate.

– Developing contracting training for CORs that can be used as CLPs.

– Developing policy on use and restraints of consignment agreements.

– Developing a standard way to clear undelivered orders across the region.

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Biomedical Engineers Subcommittee• Defining role of OI&T and Biomedical Engineering in the responsibilities

incurred with medical equipment repairs.

• Developing list of VA owned endoscopes for regional repair BPAs.

• Developing list of CT Scanners for regional maintenance BPAs.

• Developing Blanket Purchase Agreements for Medical Equipment Replacement Parts that is now with the WSNC Contracting Team

• Promoting the expansion of the WSNC Contracting Team to specialize in Biomedical procurements.

• Developing RTLS Service Level Agreement framework.

BPAs & Contracts

BPAs

• Reference laboratory

• Locum Tenens

• Nursing and Allied Health Staff

• Abbott Diagnostics

• Bed and Mattress Rental

• Alaris Pumps

• Alaris Software

• IV Catheters

• Multi-function copiers

• Custom packs

• Electrodes

• Legionella Testing

• Sleep Testing

• Endoscopy Scope Leasing and Repairs

• Patient Lifts

• Medical Replacement Parts

• Air Ambulance

• Instrument Sharpening

• Laboratory Supplies

• Blood Bank Supplies

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BPAs and ContractsCONTRACTS

• Bulk Oxygen

• Sterrad Sterilizer Service

Thank you!

Questions + Answers